Wanted: Public golf course reviewer for Ontgolf.ca!

That’s right — Ontgolf.ca is launching our own “man on the street” component to the site next year, one we are calling “Weekend Hacker.”

The concept is simple — we’re looking for a public golfer who regularly plays courses that cost less than $70 per round. We want to compensate an individual for their golf (once a week) and in exchange that person will write up a review of the course that will appear on Ontgolf.ca (and if this concept sounds a lot like the now defunct Bogey Man that appeared in the Toronto Star, well so be it). Let’s be clear here — Ontgolf.ca won’t be sending you to play Eagles Nest. That course is always exceptional. What we want to do is provide readers with an insight into affordable public golf — think Watsons Glen, rather than Angus Glen. We want to let readers know what is a good value and which courses look like they’ve been baked in an oven; which courses are hidden gems and which courses should just stay hidden.

We’re now looking for a candidate who will fill this position, a gig that will start next May and run through to September. The person has to be:

A regular golfer of some ability, though there is no need for the person to be a great player

Regularly visit public golf courses throughout Ontario

Prepared to write a short 250 word review once a week and perhaps take some photos

Be able to make regular deadlines

Remain anonymous. Our Weekend Hacker won’t be able to tell anyone that he is our ghost-like anonymous rater. The point is not to have courses influence the rating process.

In exchange Ontgolf.ca will cover the costs of their round at an agreed upon course once a week.

If you are interested, write me at robertthompson8@sympatico.ca and let me know why you should be our Weekend Hacker. Tell me about one course you’ve played that fits into this new review segment and provide me with your thoughts. I’ll take a look at all submissions and make a decision in early January.

Robert Thompson

A bestselling author and award-winning columnist, Robert Thompson has been writing about business and sports, and particularly golf, for almost two decades. His reporting and commentary on golf has appeared in Golf Magazine, the Globe and Mail, T&L Golf and many other media outlets. Currently Robert is a columnist with Global Golf Post, golf analyst for Global News and Shaw Communications, and Senior Writer to ScoreGolf. The Going for the Green blog was launched in 2004.

I am a certified instructor with CGTF, and I also work part-time as a driver for a medical equipment company. In my capacity as driver, I travel to many locations all over Ontario, particularly the 401 corridor to the east of Toronto, to deliver/pick-up equipment to/from hospitals and clinics. And, of course, have sticks will travel. I play at numerous public courses in my travels, usually 4-6 courses per month, as well as lots of local courses.
The most recent course I played was Deer Creek last week. I played the North Course, and was surprised at the condition. The greens were aerated a week earlier and the marks for the holes were still evident, but they didn’t seem to affect the putts at all. There were very few leaves left on the course as they had been cleaned off very well. The fairways were in great shape, not hard or soft and lots of roll after a drive. Taking a divot was no problem. The greens were receptive without being spongy. Tee boxes were clean and well maintained, with very few broken tees evident. The course staff were very friendly and pleasant. Being a walk-on without a tee time, they were very helpful in getting me paired with a threesome. There were no beverage carts, but being late November that was to be expected. The clubhouse, being fairly new, was immaculate.